Mask mandate in Clay County includes exemptions

A recent order signed by Clay County Director of Public Health Gary Zaborac reveals that Clay County residents will be required to wear masks beginning Sunday, July 19.

Prompted by a recent increase in new cases in the region, the order cites a 300% increase in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 within the last 30 days. The positivity rate of all those tested in the county has also increased to 7.4%, according to the order.

“It is critical we take this additional step to require masks in order to slow down increases in cases, to avoid overburdening our healthcare system, and to avoid the disruption to our local economy that would come if we would have to return to stay at home orders,” Zaborac said in a statement.

Once the order takes effect, places where masks will be required to enter are: grocery and retail stores, special events. public transit, places of worship, libraries, community centers, medical offices, schools and daycares, any business open and accessible to the public, among others.

The order also noted where masks are not required, listing outdoors (when social distancing is possible), while exercising indoors or outdoors (when social distancing is possible), when playing a sport, when eating or drinking at a restaurant or bar (when social distancing is possible), when pre-existing laws prohibit wearing a mask and for anyone who is hearing impaired or who is communicating with someone who is impaired.

The order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 19. It is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23.